Macaws Vocalize in a Pequi Fruit Tree

When we try to film the elephants vocalizing, they frequently stop vocalizing. As soon as we put away our phones or video camera, they start back up again. We think the macaws are taking lessons from the elephants (or did the elephants learn it from the macaws?).

This pequi tree was recently full of incredibly loud macaws. As soon as Scott hit “record” on his phone, they fell silent. If you look closely, you can see quite a few red and green macaws in the tree.

Pequi is a type of fruit tree indigenous here, the Cerrado Biome. The macaws and other local wildlife love them, and many Brazilians enjoy the fruit, too. The fruit is full of hidden spikes, so humans usually cook them in rice and remove the whole fruit before eating, just leaving the flavor behind. The elephants are not interested in the fruit. We have known elephants to eat spike-covered vines, so we assume it’s the flavor that is off-putting. It’s a very distinct taste, and everyone we have met either loves it or hates it.

We included a few still shots of what the fruit looks like at the end of this video for those interested.

Comments(12)

Debbie Sides says
January 18, 2021 at 5:04 pm
They’re smart to go silent. Nature is so perfect. We can learn so much from the animals. They’re beautiful.
PAMELA LEWIS says
January 18, 2021 at 5:59 pm
Love this, thank you!
Sandy Jones-Kaminski says
January 18, 2021 at 6:32 pm
Very cool! Is Scott’s phone on mute when he hits record? I sometimes forget that I have mute off and then scare off our neighborhood little finches as soon as I hit record and they hear that little ping from my iPhone. Love seeing Bambi just acting all chill even if she’s muted herself.???
- REPLY
  Kat Blais says
  January 19, 2021 at 10:04 pm
  nope, at least not that time 😉
SHEILA says
January 18, 2021 at 8:22 pm
OH PARROTS ? R VERY SMART LIKE ELEPHANTS ?AND HAVE PERFECT MEMORIES TOO! I’LL BET THE MACAWS CAME HER FROM THE PANTANAL RAINFOREST‼️THESE PARROTS LIKELY HAVE SEEN THEIR RELATIVES TRAPPED AND POACHED FOR BIG $$ BY TRAFFIKERS OF BIRDs SO THEY RELOCATED THEMSELVES TO THE ELEPHANT SANCTUARY BECAUSE THEY KNOW ITS SAFE…..NO TRAPPING THEM! THAT PEQUI TREE IS HUGE? AND BEAUTIFUL ?. IS THAT BAMBI? UNDER THAT TREE??
- REPLY
  Kat Blais says
  January 19, 2021 at 10:03 pm
  yes
Patricia Richardson says
January 18, 2021 at 10:56 pm
What an incredibly beautiful setting! And Bambi makes it magical! Perhaps she loves to come here and commune with the happy, vocal Maccaws!
Sallie says
January 18, 2021 at 11:53 pm
THANK YOU FOR THIS! I LOVE THAT ALL FORMS OF NATURE, DO LISTEN TO EACH OTHER. INCLUDING THE CERRADO BIOME!
Rosie P says
January 19, 2021 at 3:55 am
I do enjoy learning about the flora and fauna of the sanctuary habitat and the little snippets of info about Brazil and its people. It’s wonderful to see these beautiful birds in their natural habitat, free to fly and to live life as they should.
Gorgeous Bambi under the pequi tree….pronounced “pecky” ?????? I’m not sure how you say it.
Thank you for this charming post…loved it.
- REPLY
  Kat Blais says
  January 19, 2021 at 10:03 pm
  puh-kee 🙂
John says
January 19, 2021 at 2:46 pm
What a difference – Bambi underneath this gorgeous tree filled with exotic birds compared to being isolated in a small dark room at the zoo. It brings a big smile to my heart.
Luis Carrasco says
January 22, 2021 at 3:17 am
LOS ANIMALITOS SON TAN SABIOS QUE SABEN INCLUSO CUANDO TIENEN QUE GUARDAR SILENCIO. HERMOSISIMA LABOR LA QUE USTEDES HACEN EN EL REFUGIO DIOS LOS BENDIGA.

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